The first recipients of the Royal Cornwall Hospital’s Time to Reward awards have been announced.

The award scheme was developed by the theatre education team to recognise theatre assistants, advanced theatre assistants and assistant practitioners, who had completed training qualifications over the last year.

Heather McPherson, theatre education facilitator, said: “The theatre education team decided to offer an award to acknowledge and raise awareness of how hard members of the theatres team work to ensure they provide the best perioperative clinical care to surgical patients through participating in education and training.

“There are many hidden benefits for staff undertaking further education and improved confidence in performing their role; acquiring or consolidating knowledge and skills, which in turn help to improve the consistency of care provided; and the satisfaction of knowing they have achieved a qualification.”

Theatre staff were asked to nominate any colleague they considered ‘an unsung hero’ and who has demonstrated they deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication towards training.

There were three lucky winners: Teresa Vercoe, from Trelawny Theatres; Elaine Mason, from Newlyn Theatres; and Tracey D’Silva, from West Cornwall Hospital Theatres. Each winner received a £20 gift voucher to help say "well done, we appreciate your hard work."

Heather added: “Theatre education have been delighted with the results of this 'thank you' event and plan to repeat it not only again in December 2017, but to include and acknowledge the supporting work of the work place assessors and mentors, without whom the education and training of perioperative staff would not take place.

“These members of staff are critical in not only assessing standards, but in supporting their colleagues through the challenging aspects of learning 'on the job'. They deserve as big a thank you too.”